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About the Book

Written by an experienced teacher and scholar this new textbook introduces the reader to the big questions that concern change and continuity in how politics operates and how Taiwan is governed. Taking a critical approach, Dafydd Fell provides students with the essential background to the history and development of the political system as well as an explanation of the key structures, processes and institutions that have shaped Taiwan over the last few decades.

Topics covered include: the transition to democracy, party politics, cross-strait relations, foreign policy, electoral politics and voting, political economy, national identity and social welfare.

Key features of this text are:

Suggestions for further reading

End of chapter study questions

Discussion points

Graphs, tables and figures

A series of case studies highlighting the vibrancy of Taiwanese politics.

Government and Politics in Taiwan is an essential text for any course on Taiwanese politics, Chinese politics and East Asian Politics. It is also important supplementary reading for courses covering the process of democratisation.

Reviews

'Dafydd Fell’s contribution to developing the field of Taiwan Studies is second to none, and his work has already done much to shape people’s thinking about contemporary Taiwan. This book continues that process. It offers an accessible, authoritative and comprehensive interpretation of Taiwan’s political development through the period of authoritarian rule to the establishment of a fully-fledged democratic system of governance. All those wishing to understand the forces shaping Taiwan’s politics and international relations today and in the future will benefit from the perceptive insights it offers. Quite simply, it is – and is likely to remain - the best account of Taiwan’s government and politics that is available.'

'Dafydd Fell’s new book is all we could hope for in a comprehensive overview of this important topic: it is balanced, organized, and theoretically-informed – not to mention good fun. Brimming with enthusiasm for its subject and affection for its readers, Government and Politics in Taiwan will become the must-read text on Taiwan’s political development and contemporary politics. Thanks to Fell’s exhaustive research, generous sourcing, and heartfelt engagement with his topic, readers will gain both a comprehensive knowledge of a vast scholarly literature and a gut-level appreciation for Taiwan’s lively political scene.'Shelley Rigger, Brown Professor of Political Science, Davidson College, USA.

'This book provides a Western scholar’s comprehensive perspective on Taiwan. It is a work of serious scholarship by an academic intimately familiar with local scene, and constitutes a valuable addition to the study of Taiwan.' From the foreword by Hung-mao Tien, President and Chairman of the Board, Institute for National Policy Research, Taipei, Taiwan.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Government and Politics in Taiwan 2. Authoritarian Rule: The Politics of Martial Law in Taiwan 3. Transition to Democracy and Democratic Consolidation 4. Taiwan’s Government and Constitutional Structure 5. Electoral Politics: Milestones, Electoral Systems, and Political Communication 6. Party Politics in Taiwan 7. Local and Factional Politics 8. Competing National Identities 9. Taiwan’s External Relations: Balancing International Space and Cross-Strait Relations 10. From a Leninist Corporatist State to Vibrant Civil Society: The Emergence and Role of Social Movements 11. Is Democracy Working in Taiwan? Social Welfare and Political Corruption 12. Taiwan After 2000: Changes of Ruling Parties, Critical Elections and Lessons of Defeat 13. A Multitude of Political Miracles and Future Challenges

About the Author

Dafydd Fell is the Senior Lecturer in Taiwan Studies at the Centre for Financial and Management Studies and the Department of Political and International Studies of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He is also the Deputy Director of the SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies and is the coordinator for the European Association of Taiwan Studies. His previous publications include Party Politics in Taiwan (Routledge, 2005), What has Changed? Taiwan’s KMT and DPP Eras in Comparative Perspective (Harrassowitz, 2006) and the four-volume major work Politics of Modern Taiwan (Routledge, 2008). He is also the Series Editor for the new Routledge Research on Taiwan Series.